Dr JP Basson

Dr Jean-Pierre Basson

Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Architecture

Doctoral Programme Coordinator

jpbasson@mandela.ac.za

Building 8, South Campus, Summerstrand

Biography / Background

My experience in teaching in academia started in 2013 as an associate lecturer. My subject areas include Architectural Design first-year studio master, Architectural Theory (First-Year), Architectural Computer Usage (Undergraduate and postgraduate) and Architectural Presentation Techniques (Undergraduate). 

I've learned that architectural students require more than just an educator. They need an educator seen as a life coach as students experience difficulties in physical, mental and emotional well-being.

I am using my background exposure and experience growing up as my starting block to develop my teaching approach and myself as a young academic. Due to my human-centred approach in my capacity and student-centred approach as a teacher, is to develop students to their full potential. I base my teaching philosophy on three primary ideas:

  • Disentangling the brain to think critically and to investigate;
  • To inspire students by building self-confidence to explore and challenge architectural theories, and
  • To motivate students as strong, independent young individualists.


My leading research is developing alternative teaching methods to enhance student engagement, participation and throughput success in architectural computer usage, presentation techniques, and first-year Design. My research is aimed at looking at improving design communication between student and lecturer during design critique sessions by using Building Information Modelling (BIM) as the primary pedagogy as well as working towards a collaborative curriculum where students from architecture, engineering, and construction engage in team collaboration, using virtual platform methodology. I specialises in digital construction, the design process, and interdisciplinary education. My research focuses on leveraging digital technologies to enhance architectural design and construction, as well as promoting collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to education. 

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Management, 
  • Master of Architecture (Professional), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
  • Master of Science in Construction Management (Research), Nelson Mandela University
  • Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
  • Associate Diploma in Recorder Music, Trinity Guildhall College of London, 2007
  • Licentiate Diploma in Recorder music, Trinity Guildhall College of London, 2009
  • SACAP Registered Professional Architect

Awards

  • 2021, Nelson Mandela University, Distinguished Teacher Award.
  • 2017, Faculty Excellent Teacher 2017, for excellent contribution as a teacher within the Faculty of Arts, Nelson Mandela University.
  • 2017, Teaching Excellence Award 2017, leading excellent teacher at Nelson Mandela University.
  • 2017, Innovation Award 2017, Emerging Innovation Excellence, Nelson Mandela University.

Grants

  • 2023, Registered Teaching Development and Innovation (TDIF) Project, receiving funding (year 2) for the investigation and implementation of the use of VR in learning and teaching as pedagogy.
  • 2022, Registered Teaching Development and Innovation (TDIF)  Project, receiving funding (year 1) for the investigation and implementation of the use of VR in learning and teaching as pedagogy.
  • 2021, Research Capacity Development Funding for the investigating Virtual Reality as pedagogy.
  • 2020,  Registered Teaching Development and Innovation (TDIF) Project: Creating a guide for first-year students to engage in an inclusive studio environment with roots locally grounded to assist in the transition from school to the university
  • 2019, Registered Teaching Development and Innovation (TDIF) Project, receiving Teaching Development and Innovation Funding (year 2) for developing alternative modes of delivery strategies to promote student inclusivity within computer-based modules.  
  • 2018, Registered Teaching Development and Innovation (TDIF) Project, receiving Teaching Development and Innovation Funding (year 1) for developing alternative modes of delivery strategies to promote student inclusivity within computer-based modules. 
  • 2018, Research Capacity Developing Funding for investigating the role that Information Technology (BIM) play on improving communication between student and staff to improve timeously project submission to improve student success rate.

Professional Activities-committees:
MEMBERSHIP:

  • SACAP
  • ECIA
  • SAIA
  • SAIAT

Postgraduate Supervision, Co-supervision, and Examinator

Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Department of Architecture, successful supervision of 17 and co-supervision of 7 M.Arch (Prof) Treatise students between 2013 and 2022. Current (2023) co-supervision of 1 M.Arch Prof students and supervisor of 2 Bachelor of Science in Construction Economics students. Postgraduate internal examiner, Nelson Mandela University, of 12 M.Arch Prof candidates.

Professional Mentorship

Mentoring candidate architects for writing their final professional examination (PPE) with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). Two candidates successfully completed the mentorship and now registered with SACAP with 2 candidates who write in April 2023 and awaiting results.
 

Representative Publications 

Conference Papers (subsidy-bearing)

 

  • 2024, Basson, J. and Smallwood, J.J. “Bridging the Gap: A Holistic Approach to AEC Education through BIM and Collaborative Pedagogy” The 18th Built Environment Conference held by ASOCSA, 15 and 16 July 2024, Nelson Mandela University (Proceedings still in progress)
  • 2024, Basson, J. and Manga, A. “VR: Testing User Comfort” The 18th Built Environment Conference held by ASOCSA, 15 and 16 July 2024, Nelson Mandela University (Proceedings still in progress)
  • 2021, Basson, J., Allen, C. “The use of BIM to improve informed design communication between student and lecturer to promote timeously submissions”,  in: Smal, D., Botes, H. and Salaam, S (ed) DE+AFRIKA+4IR+DESIGN EDUCATION/AFRIKA/4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, DEFSA, Johannesburg, 5-7 October 2021. Johannesburg: Design Education Forum of Southern Africa.
  • 2018, Jean-Pierre Basson and Christopher Allen. “The use of BIM as a tool to improve informed design communication between student and lecturer”. Accepted to the 42nd AUBEA Conference 2018 (Australasian Universities Building Education Association Conference 2018), Singapore, 26 – 28 September 2018. ISBN 978-0-9871831-3-2
  • 2018, Prof John Smallwood and Jean-Pierre Basson. “History of the construction industry student perception”. Accepted to the 42nd AUBEA Conference 2018 (Australasian Universities Building Education Association Conference 2018), Singapore, 26 – 28 September 2018. ISBN 978-0-9871831-3-2
  • 2017, Prof John Smallwood and Jean-Pierre Basson. “History of the construction industry student perception”. Abstract for consideration to the 10th CIDB PG CID Conference.
  • 2016, Prof John Smallwood and Jean-Pierre Basson. “History of the Construction Industry student perceptions”. Paper submitted to the 40th AUBEA Conference 2016 (Australasian Universities Building Education Association Conference 2016), Cairns, Australia, July 6-8, 2016. Conference Proceedings, pp888/897. ISBN 978-1-921047-13-8.
  • 2015, Prof John Smallwood with Jean-Pierre Basson. History of the Construction Industry student perceptions. Abstract submitted to the 5th International Congress on Construction History, Chicago, June 3-7, 2015. The abstract was accepted by two of the three reviewers, but not selected for the conference.

DHET Creative Outputs (subsidy-bearing)

  • 2016-2017, Struwig, E, Minguzzi, M. and Basson J, Travelling Exhibition "Palladio and the Modern".

Exhibitions

  • 2018, Sofia Grey Memorial Lecture, Prof ‘Ora Joubert, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, 30 August 2018. Commissioned by Prof ‘Ora Joubert to produce first-year models and third-year drawings and 3D material for exhibition purpose. The work is currently in the Sofia Gray archive.
  • 2017, Traveling Exhibition, Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Palladio and the Modern, 17 August – 15 September 2017. Traveling Exhibition, Cape Town, Cape Town Institute of Architects, The Architect pop up gallery, CIFA 71 Hout Street, Cape Town. Palladio and the Modern, 31 March – 28 April 2016. Traveling Exhibition, Bloemfontein, Free State University, School of Architecture, Bloemfontein. Palladio and the Modern, 11 July to 23 July 2016. Traveling Exhibition, Johannesburg, The University of Witwatersrand, School of Architecture and Planning, John Moffat Building, Johannesburg. Palladio and the Modern, 31 August to 3 September 2016. Jean-Pierre Basson, Ernst Struwig and Magda Minguzzi.
  • 2014, Archive Exhibition Centre, 2nd Avenue, Building 414, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa “Enon 1820 – 2014”, November 2013 – December 2013. Ernst Struwig and Jean-Pierre Basson. The work on exhibition was produced within the first year design studio under studio master Ernst Struwig and Assistant Jean-Pierre Basson
  • 2013, Urban Assembly Conference, Port Elizabeth Opera House, “Sixteen Houses: John Hejduk 1929 - 2000”, 14 - 16 October 2013. Ernst Struwig and Jean-Pierre Basson.
  • 2013, Urban Assembly Conference, Port Elizabeth Opera House, “25 Palladian Villas: Andrea Palladio 1508 – 1580”, 14 - 16 October
  • 2013. Ernst Struwig and Jean-Pierre Basson. 100 Celebrating of PE’s Historical Landmarks, Archive Exhibition Centre, 2nd Avenue, Building 414, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa “Bethelsdorp 1803 – 2013: A History of Place”, 14 November 2013 – 14 December 2013.